Group Finance Manager – Pensions & Treasury

Thank you for your interest in this role.

The Cumbria Pension Fund is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and is administered by Westmorland and Furness Council, which became the administering authority following the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Cumbria on 1 April 2023. We are a substantial pension fund of 67,000 members,109 employers and over £3.4 billion in investments and a cornerstone of financial wellbeing for thousands of public sector employees across the region. As part of our team, you’ll play a vital role in delivering excellence, innovation, and integrity in public service.

Despite our strong track record, we’re not standing still. We’re building on our reputation for excellence by embracing innovation and continuous improvement. As the demands of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the wider pensions industry continue to grow, so do our ambitions. We’re rising to meet these challenges head-on, and we’re looking for talented, forward-thinking individuals to join us on this exciting journey. This is your opportunity to be part of something impactful, where your skills will help shape the future of public sector pensions.

I’m excited to be recruiting a new Group Finance Manager – Pensions & Treasury, reporting directly to me as Senior Manager / Head of Fund. This opportunity has arisen following the well-deserved external promotion of the current post-holder, a testament to the career progression this role can offer.

This is a pivotal position within our team, acting as my Deputy and playing a key role in the strategic and operational delivery of the Cumbria Pension Fund. You’ll have autonomy and visibility across high-impact areas, including:

• Direct engagement with our Border to Coast Pension Partnership, and the Local Pensions Partnership Administration
• Playing a key role in ensuring the delivery of our Business Plan, and managing the Pensions Team
• Collaborating with Elected Members and senior stakeholders, including supporting the Pensions Committee and Pensions Board

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone ready to step into a leadership role with influence, challenge, and the chance to shape the future of public sector pensions in a dynamic and supportive environment. If this fast-paced role sounds appealing, I would very much like to hear from you. Whether you have a background in pensions or Public Sector finance (preferably Local Authority finance), this superb role will provide an excellent platform for an ambitious individual who can fully appreciate the potential of where this role might take you in the longer term.

I’m actively seeking someone who could be a future Head of Fund, someone with the ambition, vision, and drive to lead. If that sounds like you, I’ll be here to offer my full support and guidance every step of the way.

The strength of our organisation has in recent years been recognised with various awards and more recently the Fund has been shortlisted in the prestigious LGC Investment Awards in two categories: Small Fund of the Year; and Outstanding Individual Contribution for a colleague’s fantastic work. The national LGC Investment Awards celebrate excellence and innovation within the local government sector and apparently this year’s awards received a record number of entries. We are over the moon - and I am so proud of the team here.

This is more than just a job, it’s a genuine opportunity to shape your career in a role that’s both challenging and fulfilling, all while living and working in one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Fundamentally, I believe this is a fascinating opportunity, which will appeal to an enthusiastic and ambitious individual who can see the genuine potential of being able to play a pivotal leadership role at this very exciting time.

We’re proud to be a high-performing authority, driven by a talented, passionate, and committed workforce. You’ll be joining a team that values excellence and collaboration, where your contributions will be recognised and your potential nurtured.

Be part of a team that supports communities, invests in futures, and delivers real change across Cumbria and apply today!

I hope that this role will pique your interest levels, and that the information below will provide as much detail as you require. However, I would welcome conversations with candidates who would like to learn a little more from me. Please liaise with our recruitment partners at The Resourcing Solution who will be able to arrange a conversation.

Thank you and I look forward to receiving your application.

Kate McLaughlin-Flynn

Senior Manager – Cumbria Pension Fund (Deputy S151 Officer - Pensions)